Netball: Magic hunt for confidence after early struggle

Magic's Leana de Bruin and Swifts Susan Pettitt in action during the ANZ Champs semi final netball match between the Magic and Swifts last year. Photo/Michael Bradley

It is make or break time for the Waikato-BOP Magic. The only New Zealand franchise to have won the ANZ Championship title are languishing dead last in the New Zealand conference, without a win from five games.

Magic have the second worst goal difference with their tally of 193 the lowest in the competition.

But experienced Australian coach Julie Fitzgerald is determined her side will turn around their poor start to the competition.

The key factor she wants to install in her team is confidence ahead of a crucial season-defining clash against West Coast Fever at ASB Arena in Mount Maunganui on Monday night.

"I think we have lost a lot of confidence down in that attack end. Our connections are not there and we don't have the confidence to let the ball go," Fitzgerald said.

"We have talked about various things and what we did well in the pre-season and where we can go from here.

"We had a very strong pre-season and played particularly well and we had built a really good foundation to approach the season with.

"Then we got hit with injuries. You take two Silver Ferns out of any side and that will be hard but I do think our new young girls are getting plenty of experience and getting stronger on court.